Rep. Khanna Calls on Congress to Limit President Donald Trump’s Authority over ‘Nuclear Button’

Donald Trump’s boastful tweet Tuesday about the size of his “nuclear button” revived questions about the president’s war powers. So much so that Silicon Valley Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) called on lawmakers to pass a measure preventing Trump from launching a nuclear strike on North Korea without permission from Congress.

Khanna’s comments on Wednesday came in response to Trump’s mockery of Kim Jong Un, after the North Korean leader warned that he has a nuclear launch button on his desk, always at the ready.

Another Bay Area lawmaker, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-San Ramon), joined Khanna’s call for legislators to temper Trump’s authority to launch a preemptive strike.

While Republicans seem generally unfazed by Trump’s fightin’ words, Democrats in both the House and Senate have already proposed legislation that would limit the president’s ability to initiate such an attack without prior approval.

Trump’s threat this week isn’t the first time he’s hinted at authorizing military action against North Korea, which has bolstered its weapon capabilities in recent years. Media reports suggest that the “hermit kingdom” is planning yet another missile test.

Jennifer Wadsworth is the former news editor for San Jose Inside and Metro Silicon Valley. Follow her on Twitter at @jennwadsworth.

13 Comments

  1. Part 3
    He has or shortly will be relieved along with his entire strike force. We will have exactly 60 seconds to determine a nuclear strike against us and 35 minutes to land a NUC on the enemy to prevent further launches. We can not have a second guesser in charge of or safety. What he said was anticipatory “Mutiny”.

    • Jack, this has nothing to do with a retaliatory strike, which remains completely up to the executive. But a first strike is unacceptable as a possibility for one human to impose on the world.

  2. Part 2
    General John E. Hyten was at a seminar in Europe recently and he stated that regardless of the thoroughly reviewed status of launch on a daily basis by The Department of Defense, CIA and the Justice Department. Even though all issues are already considered and a preemptive or retaliatory strike and all of it’s different scenarios are already reviewed for authorization by Congress. He stated that he would determine if a strike is necessary and legal before he would give the command to strike because he could go to jail for life”

  3. Part 1
    Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) is a nobody! Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-San Ramon), is a phony loudmouth sissy.

    Before a launch of any kind the war plans and possibilities are thoroughly reviewed on a daily basis by The Department of Defense, CIA and the Justice Department. All issues are considered and a preemptive or retaliatory strike and all of it’s different scenarios are already reviewed for authorization by Congress.

    General John E. Hyten runs our Missile Defense after he replaced a Black General “Quick Promoted Up The Ranks) who stated he and his five launcher staff were quietly and swiftly removed on Jan. 20, 2017 at 2pm.

  4. > Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) is a nobody! Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-San Ramon), is a phony loudmouth sissy.

    Mr. Slade:

    I think you dramatically overestimate the substance and gravitas of Congressmen Khanna and Swalwell.

    The only reason that Khanna is in Congress rather than in a homeless camp living out of a shopping cart is that Mike Honda was an even more gaseous nobody. It’s encouraging that even mouth drooling progressive voters in a one party satrapy are able to make such distinctions.

    I also question you assessment of Swalwell as a “phony loudmouth sissy”. I would consider him to be an AUTHENTIC loud mouth sissy.

    All of us need to work harder to elevate the tone of political discussion and strive to be more accurate and reality-based.

  5. “To prevent catastrophe, Congress must immediately limit Trump’s ability to launch a first nuclear strike without authorization.” — Ro Khanna

    Congress itself is a proven catastrophe, a body that has demonstrated great skill in sidestepping the tough issues (and judging by his efforts to date, Ro Khanna is fitting right in). Better that our august legislators continue to busy their hands molesting interns, collecting payoffs, pointing fingers at the opposition, applauding their allies, and patting themselves on the back.

    But just to appease their voracious egos, in place of a preemptive launch button let’s give them one that preorders lunch.

  6. You are dumber than as n I thought. What makes you think President Trump would push the button without going through the. Right TTY channels. You never cease to amaze me on your stupidity and your need for power.

  7. I don’t want any ONE man with the power to launch a nuclear first strike. Trump now or Obama then. The idea of a nuclear first strike under ANY circumstances is nuts. It’s not just about destruction it’s also about civilizations infrastructure. Think about what life would be like with no food deliveries, no power, and no water. The people that founded this country knew kings were notorious for getting countries into wars and decided only Congress should have that power. The President is the Commander in Chief not a king.

    • > I don’t want any ONE man with the power to launch a nuclear first strike. Trump now or Obama then. The idea of a nuclear first strike under ANY circumstances is nuts.

      Mike:

      May I suggest, for your peace of mind, that you crawl under your bed, pull a blanket over your head, and assume the fetal position.

      Oh, and cancel your Twitter account, too.

      You’ll be safe.

  8. Mr Honda had to go, I was hoping Mr Khanna would have more backbone than the previous jellyfish that occupied that hole in the swamp. He passed himself off as pro-business but his lack of a yes vote on the tax bill says no.
    Pro-American, doubtful !

    Seeming more like the cheese eating surrender monkey typical of the standard yes man Democrat, he would rather wage war on any Republican than that malignant dwarf that is threatening the world peace. Haven’t we learned the lesson of Snivel Chamberlain or do we have to wait for rocketman to shoot us in the guts first before we get to draw.
    Peace at any cost, lets wait to see if the incoming is real, just a new way of commiting suicide by congress.

    Mr Khanna your nuts!

  9. I love all these comments!

    surrender monkey

    loudmouth sissy

    This is great stuff whose level is approriate to the most ridiculous position yet out of Khanna, which is saying something…

    • Khanna didn’t do anything while in District 2 city council. all of a sudden he gets smart. Well let me tell you Trump in no going to be pulling any trigger with out the support of congress.

      OH lets go back to Benghazi, Did Hillary wait to pull the plug on our represent ivies.

      where was Khanna then

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